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AST RESEARCH 9000 Series User Manual

Ast advantage! high-performance, upgradable, minitower computer user's manual
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Summary of Contents for AST RESEARCH 9000 Series

  • Page 1 High-Performance, Upgradable, Minitower Computer ®...
  • Page 2 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual 003694-001 A January, 1997...
  • Page 3 Microsoft, MS-DOS, and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. IBM and PS/2 are registered trademarks of IBM Corp. Iomega is a registered trademark and Zip is a trademark of Iomega Corporation. All other product or service names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Contents Introduction ... 1 About Your Computer ... 1 Unpacking Your Computer ... 2 Using Your Computer Safely ... 3 Setting Up Your Computer Connecting a Monitor ... 5 Connecting the Keyboard, Mouse, and Peripheral Devices ... 6 Connecting the Power Cord ... 8 Turning the Computer On ...
  • Page 5 Setting the Password Jumper ... 54 Updating the System BIOS ... 54 Performing the BIOS Update ... 55 Troubleshooting the BIOS Update ... 55 Troubleshooting Replacing the Computer Battery ... 58 ii Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual ... 41 ... 57...
  • Page 6 Abbreviations ... 60 Glossary ... 62 Appendix A: Regulatory Information FCC Class-B Warning ... 69 DOC Notice ... 69 Warning ... 70 Avertissement ... 70 Advarsel ... 70 CE Compliance ... 71 CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT ... 72 CAUTION ... 72 WARNING ...

  • Page 8: Introduction

    (see “Installing Drives” on page 25). The system board has a floppy controller that supports up to two floppy drives (one comes installed in your system) and two IDE interface connectors that ® 9000 Series computer. ® ® microprocessor (see Introduction 1...

  • Page 9: Unpacking Your Computer

    Contact your authorized AST reseller immediately if any component is damaged or missing. 2 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual ® 95 keyboard and a PS/2 Save the packing materials. Should you ever need to ship the computer, pack it in these shock-absorbing materials.

  • Page 10: Using Your Computer Safely

    Using Your Computer Safely As you set up and use the computer, take the following precautions: The monitor screen should be at eye level as you sit at the computer. Adjust lighting in the room to reduce glare on the screen. Use the controls on the monitor to adjust the brightness and contrast to comfortable levels.
  • Page 11 Do not open the power supply or monitor. Follow all the instructions and cautions in this manual. 4 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual – Intend to open the computer. – Have exposed the equipment to liquid.

  • Page 12: Setting Up Your Computer

    Setting Up Your Computer Assembling the computer can be as basic as unpacking the system, then connecting the keyboard and mouse, a monitor, and any peripheral devices you want to use (such as a printer) to the system. You can also add disk drives, add-in boards, an upgrade Intel OverDrive microprocessor, system memory, or video memory to your computer.

  • Page 13: Connecting The Keyboard, Mouse, And Peripheral Devices

    Plug the keyboard and mouse into their connectors at the back of the computer. Be sure that the arrows on the cable plugs point to the right as you face the rear of the system. 6 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual Figure 1. Video Port Location...
  • Page 14 To adjust the height of the keyboard, flip the height adjusters on the bottom of the keyboard up to the raised position (Figure 2). Figure 2. Adjusting Keyboard Height Two serial ports and one parallel port are located on the back panel of the computer (Figure 3).

  • Page 15: Connecting The Power Cord

    Before turning the computer on, press the power button on the monitor. (For its location, see the monitor’s user manual.) The computer power button is located at the upper-right corner of 8 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual Figure 4. Power Connector Location...
  • Page 16 the front panel (Figure 5). Press it to turn the computer on. While the computer is on, the green power light on the front panel of the computer should be on. Figure 5. Power Button and Light As the computer starts, messages appear on the monitor screen. Note the prompt to run System Setup, a program that configures your system.

  • Page 17: Using Your Computer's Power Management Features

    Playing games that use only the joystick Transferring long files over your modem or infrared receiver (available on some models) Printing long documents Making tape backups of your data 10 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual...

  • Page 18: Disabling Power Management

    Using programs that schedule events for unattended operation See “Power Management Configuration” on page 51 for the procedure for changing the inactivity timer for power management. Disabling Power Management It is not necessary to go into System Setup to disable power management.

  • Page 19: For The First-Time User

    Your system includes an upgraded Windows 95 keyboard, which features special software application keys for use with Windows 95. The four types of keys found on your keyboard are shown in Figure 6. 12 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual Figure 6. Keyboard Layout...

  • Page 20: Using The Mouse

    Using the Mouse Your computer comes with a PS/2-type port for connecting the mouse that came with your system. This port also supports other PS/2-compatible pointing devices. Optionally, you can attach a serial mouse, but doing so will occupy a serial port. The function of different mouse types varies.
  • Page 21 A light near the floppy disk drive opening (Figure 7) comes on when the computer reads from or writes to a floppy disk. 14 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual Do not remove a disk or turn the system off when this light is on –...

  • Page 22: Using Hard Disks

    Figure 7. Drive Activity and Status Lights Once information is saved to a floppy or Zip disk, it remains there until it is overwritten or erased, or the disk is formatted. Turning off the computer does not affect this data. Using Hard Disks Unlike a floppy disk, a hard disk (also called a fixed disk) is installed inside the computer and is not meant to be removed...

  • Page 23: Using Zip Disks

    Using Zip Disks Your computer comes with a 100MB Iomega® Zip™ drive. This drive functions in a manner similar to the 3.5 inch drive, but with an increased capacity of 100MB per disk. A formatted tools disk is included with your computer. You store information on and retrieve data from Zip disks as you would the 3.5 inch disks.
  • Page 24 c. When the “Shut Down Windows” dialog box appears, select the “Restart the Computer” option, then press the “Yes” button. This is the preferred method for restarting your computer (assuming your system is working normally), because it allows Windows 95 to save configuration information and shut down in an orderly manner before it restarts.

  • Page 25: Upgrading Your Computer

    System Setup program. See “Configuring Your Computer” on page 41 for more information. 18 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual If you are not familiar or comfortable with add-in board, floppy drive, hard drive, SIMM or chip handling and installation procedures, ask an authorized AST service technician to upgrade your system.

  • Page 26: Removing The System Cover

    Removing the System Cover Before installing internal components, you must turn off and unplug the computer, and remove the system cover. To remove the system cover: 1. If the computer is on, turn it off. 2. Unplug the power cord and disconnect any peripheral devices.

  • Page 27: Removing The Front Panel

    2. Swing the front panel to the right. 3. Pull out the front panel until the tabs on the right side of the front panel clear their slots. 20 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual Figure 9. Removing the Front Panel...

  • Page 28: Replacing The System Cover

    Replacing the System Cover After adding optional components and making adjustments, replace the system cover. Follow these steps: 1. Make sure you have not left any tools or loose parts inside the system. Make sure everything is properly installed and tightened. 2.

  • Page 29: Board Installation

    Follow this procedure to install an add-in board. 1. Run any software that is required before installing the board: 22 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual If you are installing an ISA add-in board that does not comply with the Plug and Play specification, you will need to configure it manually, using the Windows 95 Add New Hardware Wizard.
  • Page 30 You may need to run an installation program provided by the board manufacturer before or after installing or removing an add-in board. Refer to the board documentation for more information. 2. Turn the computer off, unplug the power cord, disconnect all peripheral devices, and remove the system cover (see “Replacing the System Cover”...
  • Page 31 8. Replace the bottom panel. Set the system upright and replace the system cover. Reconnect peripheral devices, plug in the power cord, and boot the system. 24 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual Figure 12. Installing an Add-in Board b. Insert the board until its edge connector is aligned with an expansion-slot receptacle.

  • Page 32: Configuring Add-In Parallel Ports And Sound Cards

    9. Run any configuration software required to complete the installation of the add-in board. Configuring Add-in Parallel Ports and Sound Cards If you install an add-in board with a parallel port, it must be configured to use an interrupt other than IRQ7, since that interrupt is reserved for the onboard parallel port.
  • Page 33 A built-in floppy controller that supports up to two floppy drives, one of which comes installed on your system. Two IDE connectors, each of which supports up to two IDE devices. The Primary connector supports your hard 26 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual Figure 13. Drive Bay Locations...

  • Page 34: Preparations For Installing Drives

    drive, and has one additional connector available. The Secondary connector supports your CD-ROM as a master and your Zip drive as a slave. To locate these connectors, see the illustration in the back of this manual. Preparations for Installing Drives As you install drives, keep the following in mind: AST tests the drives it distributes to ensure that they are compatible with AST computers.
  • Page 35 Figure 14. Accessing the Front Drive Bay 4. Attach one guide rail to each side of the drive: 28 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual a. From the front of the front panel, press on the sides of the face plate until it comes out of the panel.
  • Page 36 clip fits into indentations at the top and bottom of the rail and snaps into place (Figure 15). Figure 15. Installing Guide Rails b. Position each guide rail so that the end with the tab faces the front of the drive, and the grounding clip is next to the drive.
  • Page 37 (see the illustration in the back of this manual). 30 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual Zip drive not shown in this illustration. Figure 17. Drive Cables...
  • Page 38 If you are installing a second hard disk or other device with an IDE interface, connect it to an IDE interface connector on the system board. If only a single hard drive is connected to the primary IDE controller (your shipping configuration), you can connect a new hard drive there.

  • Page 39: Installing A Drive In The Rear Drive Bay

    Figure 18. Removing the Rear Drive Bay Panel 2. Lift the panel off the chassis. 32 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual Do not perform a low-level format on an AST IDE drive; you might damage the format data. IDE drives sold by AST have been low-level formatted at the factory.

  • Page 40: Installing The Drive

    After adding optional components and making adjustments to the system, replace the cover and access panels by reversing the removal procedures. Installing the Drive 1. Turn the computer off, unplug the power cord, and disconnect all peripheral devices. Remove the system cover and rear drive bay panel (see “Removing the System Cover”...

  • Page 41: Adding System Memory

    8 MB (2M x 32) 16 MB (4M x 32) 32 MB (8M x 32). 34 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual You do not need to perform FDISK or FORMAT on the hard drive that came with your computer. If you ever need to repartition or reformat this hard drive, back up its data first.

  • Page 42: Adding And Removing Simms

    Minimum memory configuration is 8 MB, and maximum is 128 MB. You can mix different sizes of SIMMs to achieve a wide variety of memory configurations, as long as you adhere to the following rules: You must use the same size and type of SIMM in both slots of bank 0 or bank 1.
  • Page 43 SIMM (Figure 19). At the same time, push the SIMM slightly forward from the back. Remove the SIMM carefully to avoid damage. 36 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual a. Remove the rear drive bay panel (see “Removing the Rear Drive Bay Panel” on page 32).

  • Page 44: Upgrading The Microprocessor

    6. To install a SIMM, slide it into the first empty bank and push it back until the retaining clips snap into place (Figure 19). Make sure the SIMM is securely in its bank. 7. If you removed any add-in boards to reach the SIMM banks, replace the add-in boards.
  • Page 45 6. Insert the microprocessor into the socket (Figure 20): 38 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual When you install the microprocessor, do not touch the edges of the empty bracket for the 3.5-inch floppy drive.

  • Page 46: Adding Video Memory

    7. Set the system upright and replace its cover. Reconnect peripheral devices and plug in the power cord. Turn on the system. Adding Video Memory Your computer has video memory sockets that enable you to upgrade the system from 1 MB to 2 MB of video memory. To add video memory, obtain a video upgrade kit from your AST reseller.

  • Page 47: Video Memory

    The system automsteatically detects and uses the additional video memory. 40 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual Each device has a small round depression, or a notch in the end that corresponds to the beveled corner of the socket. Make sure the chips are correctly oriented to their sockets before inserting them, or damage to the chips, the computer, or both may result.

  • Page 48: Configuring Your Computer

    Configuring Your Computer This section shows how to change the system configuration by setting system board switches, running System Setup, setting passwords, and updating the BIOS. Setting Jumpers The system board contains jumpers that you can use to change the system configuration. You may need to change these jumper settings to prevent conflicts with an add-in board you just installed or to enable or disable passwords.

  • Page 49: Setting Microprocessor Jumpers

    The configuration of the microprocessor-related jumpers varies with the system’s microprocessor speed. Table 2 shows the default settings for the system board jumpers. Table 2. Microprocessor Speed Jumpers CPU Freq. 42 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual Jumper Setting Options See “Setting Microprocessor Jumpers” J1F1-A Pins 4&5: Normal*...

  • Page 50: System Setup

    System Setup System Setup is a program that configures your computer and saves the configuration in battery-maintained memory. Ordinarily, you do not need to use this program. However, you may wish to run System Setup to set the date or time, to establish a password, or to alter the settings for other features.

  • Page 51: System Setup Fields

    Some fields are for reference only (you cannot enter new values in them). Some fields may not appear at all, depending upon your computer model. 44 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual...

  • Page 52: Main Menu

    Main Menu System Date: Use two-digit numbers to indicate month, day, and year. System Time: Use two-digit numbers to indicate hour, minute, and second. Use a 24-hour clock. Floppy Options Press <Enter> to view or change the configuration of the floppy drives.
  • Page 53 IDE device for this information. Set this field to Disabled for any unused IDE connectors. 46 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual As described on the last page in your Zip drive User’s Guide , the Zip drive’s IDE Device configuration must be set to Disabled (which will allow Windows 95 to perform the configuration) or your system may hang.
  • Page 54 set up a second hard-disk type unless you also have set up a first hard-disk type. Do not change the settings for the hard drive that came with your computer. Boot Options Press <Enter> to view the boot options: First Boot Device: Tells the system which device to first check to find an operating system to boot from.

  • Page 55: Advanced Menu

    Serial Port 1 Address: Use this option to assign a serial port address to port 1. The following options are available: 48 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual Disabled COM1, 3F8, IRQ4 (Default) COM2, 2F8, IRQ3 COM4, 2E8, IRQ 3...
  • Page 56 Serial Port 2 Address: Use this option to assign a serial port address to port 2. The following options are available: Disabled COM2, 2F8, IRQ4 COM3, 3E8, IRQ3 COM4, 2E8, IRQ 4 COM2, 2F8, IRQ3 COM3, 3E8, IRQ4 COM4, 2E8, IRQ3 Auto Serial Port 2 IR Mode: Enables/disables the onboard IR controller, if your system came configured with the IrDA...
  • Page 57 Game Port: Can be set to Auto, Enabled, or Disabled. Game Port Status: Shows the current port address. This field is for reference only. FM Synthesizer Port Status: Shows the current port address. This field is for reference only. 50 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual...

  • Page 58: Security Menu

    Advanced Chipset Configuration This screen shows the status of the memory banks. It detects whether the banks are populated, and what mode (EDO or FPM) the installed SIMMs are. Power Management Configuration Press <Enter> to enter the secondary menu. IDE Drive Power Down: Use this option to enable IDE power down during periods of no activity.

  • Page 59: Exiting System Setup

    5. As you type, follow these rules: 52 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual Create a password of one to seven characters. If you type more than seven keystrokes and press <Enter>, the computer beeps, and you must reenter the password.

  • Page 60: Canceling A Password

    6. When you finish typing, press <Enter>. The cursor moves to the Verify field. Reenter the password and press <Enter>. If the passwords match exactly, the password is enabled. If not, the computer beeps. Press <Enter> again and repeat the process.

  • Page 61: Setting The Password Jumper

    If this occurs, the following message appears on your screen: 54 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual Altering jumper settings while the computer is on can permanently damage the computer and its components.

  • Page 62: Performing The Bios Update

    “Personality Identification Data has been lost. If this occurs, your system will still operate, but less efficiently. Contact your local AST Technical Support. Performing the BIOS Update To perform the BIOS update: 1. Turn off the computer. 2. Place the BIOS Update disk in drive A. If you have downloaded the BIOS file from a BBS, you need to make sure that you have copied the file to a bootable, system disk.
  • Page 63 (see “Replacing the Computer Battery” on page 58). Retry the BIOS update. If the problem persists, contact your AST reseller. 56 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual...

  • Page 64: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting If your computer does not start, check the following: Are all the cables properly connected to the computer? (See “Connecting a Monitor” on page 5 and subsequent sections.) If you have installed an add-in board, have you installed it correctly? (See “Installing Add-in Boards” on page 21.) Is the voltage setting on the back panel set to 115 V, or 230 V if your power outlet uses that voltage? (See “Connecting the Power Cord”...

  • Page 65: Replacing The Computer Battery

    If the computer reports a CMOS or battery failure error, you may need to replace the battery. Run System Setup to check your configuration settings. If the settings are lost, replace the battery. To replace the battery: 58 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual...
  • Page 66 1. Turn off the computer, unplug the power cord, and disconnect any peripheral devices. Remove the cover (see “Removing the System Cover” on page 19). 2. Locate the battery socket (see the illustration in the back of this manual). 3. Remove any add-in boards that prevent you from reaching the battery.

  • Page 67: Abbreviations

    POST ..Power-on self test PS/2 ..Personal System/2 RAM ..Random-access memory SIMM ..Single in-line memory module 60 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual ®...
  • Page 68 VGA..Video graphics array ZIF ..Zero-insertion force Abbreviations 61...

  • Page 69: Glossary

    The video display adapter that is built into the system board. This adapter is compatible with software that runs in VGA, a high-resolution video standard. You do not need to install a separate video display adapter if you are using a VGA-compatible monitor. 62 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual...
  • Page 70 A communication channel carrying signals from any device used by the system to another device. For example, data being transferred to and from a hard disk travels on a bus. Byte The basic unit of measure for computer memory. A character, such as a letter of the alphabet, uses one byte of memory.
  • Page 71 Computer circuitry that produces video images on the monitor. Your computer includes built-in VGA, a display adapter that is built into the system board. You can also install an add-in video board, a display adapter on a separate plug-in board. 64 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual...
  • Page 72 DMA (direct memory access) The process of transferring data directly between memory and peripheral devices without microprocessor intervention. Double click Press twice, in rapid succession, on a mouse button. DPMS (data power-management signaling) Describes monitors that can conserve power when the system is inactive by blanking the screen.
  • Page 73 The ISA expansion bus operates at 8 MHz. KB (kilobyte) 1,024 bytes. For example, 8 KB is shorthand for 8,192 bytes. Local bus A bus that connects peripheral devices directly to the microprocessor. The bus usually runs at the external clock 66 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual...
  • Page 74 rate of the microprocessor and can transfer at one time the maximum number of bits supported by the microprocessor and peripheral devices (for example, 32 bits). MB (megabyte) 1,024 kilobytes or 1,048,576 bytes. For example, 16 MB is 16,384 KB or 16,777,216 bytes. Menu bar The horizontal stripe across the top of a window containing the names of an application program’s menus.
  • Page 75 The main directory in a drive. SIMM (single inline memory module) A small circuit board with memory chips. Window A rectangular area on you screen in which you view an application program or a file. 68 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual...

  • Page 76: Appendix A: Regulatory Information

    Appendix A: Regulatory Information FCC Class-B Warning This computer generates and uses radio-frequency energy. If not installed and used properly, the computer may interfere with radio or television reception. The computer has been tested and certified to comply with the limits for a class-B digital device, as defined in part 15 of the FCC rules.

  • Page 77: Warning

    à respecter tous les règlements nationaux et locaux en vigueur. Advarsel Eksplosjonsfare ved fellektig skifte av batteri. Benytt samme batteritype eller en tilsvarande type anbefalt av apparatfabrikanten. Brukte batterierr kasseres i hanhold til fabrikantans instruksjoner. 70 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual...

  • Page 78: Ce Compliance

    CE Compliance CE marked AST computers comply with the following standards: Electromagnetic Compatibility – Application of Directives: 89/ 336/EEC, 92/31/EEC, 93/68/EEC Emissions – EN 55022 (1987) Performance criteria: Class B Immunity – EN 50082-1 (1992) subset: Product safety – Application of Directives: 73/23/EEC. 93/68/ Safety of ITE –...

  • Page 79: Class 1 Laser Product

    USYNLIG LASERSTRÅLING NÅR DEKSEL ÅPNES OG SIKKERHEDSLÅS BRYTES. STIRR IKKE INN I STRÅLEN ELLER SE DIREKTE MED OPTISKE INSTRUMENTER. LUOKAN 1 LASERLAITE VAROITUS LAITTEEN KÄYTTÄMINEN MUULLA KUIN TÄSSÄ KÄYTTöOHJEESSA MAINITULLA TAVALLA SAATTAA ALTISTAA KÄYTTÄJÄN TURVALLISUUSLUOKAN 1 YLITTÄVÄLLE NÄKYMÄTTöMÄLLE LASERSÄTEILYLLE. 72 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual...

  • Page 80: Klass 1 Laserapparat

    KLASS 1 LASERAPPARAT VARNING OM APPARATEN ANVÄNDS PÅ ANNAT SÄTT ÄN I DENNA BRUKSANVISNING SPECIFICERATS, KAN ANVÄNDAREN UTSÄTTAS FöR OSYNLIG LASER- STRÅLNING, SOM öVERSKRIDER GRÄNSEN FöR LASERKLASS 1. Labels appearing on the drives: CAUTION - INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN. AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM.
  • Page 81 74 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual...

  • Page 82: Index

    Index Abbreviations listed 60 Add-in boards configuring after installing 25 installing 21 PCI 18 Battery replacing 58 safety warning 59 troubleshooting during flash BIOS update 55 BIOS downloading flash 54 flash, described 2 performing update 55 updating 54 BIOS update troubleshooting 55 Boot cold 17...
  • Page 83 Lights location of activity and status, illustrated 15 Memory adding system 34 battery-maintained 43 configurations 34 76 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual correct configuration 35 incorrect configuration 35 maximum 1 minimum and maximum 35 video, adding 39 Microprocessor description 1...
  • Page 84 peripheral port location 7 serial port location 7 Power connector location, illustrated 8 conserving 10 Power Management default time settings 10 when to disable 10 Regulatory Information 69 Riser card defined 21 Safety modem 3 option 3 static 3 Security menu in System Setup 51 SIMMs adding 35...

  • Page 85: System Board

    System Board 78 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual...

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